ALASKA -- People competing in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Invitational are racing a thousand miles from Anchorage to Nome on bikes, skis and on foot.

Des Moines-native Steve Cannon is racing on his fat bike and has pedaled into seventh place. At last check, the 52-year-old was almost 380 miles into the race. That's about 30 miles behind the leaders.

He took a picture a couple days ago at Rainy Pass, showing himself waving the Iowa flag.

Cannon had to qualify through a series of races to be eligible for this race. When he finishes the race, he will be the first Iowan to do so.

Cannon is raising money for several cancer-related charities along the way. He has had friends and family who have fought cancer. He also volunteers at his local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Chapter in Iowa.